I wanted to post something yesterday but the forecast kept changing. Below you can see that change in the 24hr forecast that was produced Tuesday, then last night.

Notice in Vancouver in particular, the pinks have been replaced with smaller areas of greens (which is still 30mm of rain, but that is better than 60). The Alberni Valley looks completely dry but parts of thhe South and East Island could get some welcome rain including at the Lizard Lake fire near Port Renfrew.

The rain is also coming to areas in the Southern Interior where huge fires are growing. Hopefully that will help. But it will be short lived.

Only small parts of Vancouver will see any rain on Saturday. We will remain dry here with highs in the mid-20s the same goes for the Interior unfortunately.

So in all, our latest chance at breaking the drought has dried up. There is a small chance of some showers on Monday but that’s all for the foreseeable future.

The fire danger rating is back to High and I would expect it to stay there.

There was a wildfire reported today just outside Port Alberni Harbour near Polly’s Point on the East (City) side of the Inlet. It was person caused. Please folks, the forest is so dry, do not take any chances with any heat sources in the bush. Fires are growing extremely rapidly in these conditions. Dog Mountain, Port Renfrew, Harrison Lake and now Rock Creek all grew to hundreds of hectares within hours. Don’t take any chances.

Update: The fire on the beach was apparently witnessed by Leon Hamel who lives on the Tseshaht reserve and post this on Facebook: “so we had the fire department here at 3:30am, BEACH FIRE !!, Some ______ set another fire on my property”

Please folks, there is a fire ban for a reason. Respect it, or you may have to live with the knowledge you started a fire that burned down someones house like what is happening near Kelowna right now.

The Mars is unfortunately still off duty until they resolve crew issues. Their contract now ends on August 21.